India vs Sri Lanka Fantasy Cricket Tips: In the new year, it is time for the ‘Men in Blue’ to return back to action as they lock horns against Sri Lanka in a three-match T20I series that begins from January 5. In the first encounter, Virat and his boys will face a rejuvenated Sri Lankan team as both sides look to sort out their playing combinations much before the T20 World Cup later this year.
Sri Lanka, who had a mixed outing in T20Is in 2019 will be boosted by the return of some of their experienced players for the series against India. They come on the back of a series loss against Australia and will have their task cut out if they are to beat this Indian team in their own backyard. Under the leadership of Lasith Malinga, the visitors boast of enough T20 experience, but it will all boil down to their youngsters rise to the occasion.
Weather Conditions:
It will be a night encounter in Guwahati and the weather might have its say during the course of the match. The temperatures are expected to stay somewhere around 15 degrees with a forecast of a passing shower in the evening. Both the teams might have a look-in at the possibility of rain to alter their strategies for the first T20I.
Pitch Report:
The pitch at the Baraspara Stadium in Guwahati might assist the seam bowlers with lateral movement and swing on offer during the first six overs. In the only men’s T20I played here in 2017, Indian batting was caught wanting against the Australian seam attack. Apart from the first six overs, surfaces for T20Is are usually batting friendly.
Total matches played: 4
Matches won batting first: 2
Matches won bowling first: 2
Average 1st innings score: 127
Average 2nd innings score: 118
Injury and availability news: For India, Shikhar Dhawan will make a comeback at the top of the order while Rohit Sharma is rested for the three T20Is. Jasprit Bumrah will be the latest edition after missing a majority of cricket in the second half of 2019. For Sri Lanka. the Islanders call their veteran in Angelo Mathews in their T20I squad. Fast bowler Kasun Rajitha replaced the injured Nuwan Pradeep for the entire series.
India vs Sri Lanka Fantasy Cricket Tips-Probable Playing XIs
India:
KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (C), Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (Wk), Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Navdeep Saini
Bench: Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Manish Pandey, Sanju Samson
Sri Lanka:
Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera (Wk), Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Isuru Udana, Lakshan Sandakan, Wanindu Hasaranga, Kasun Rajitha, Lasith Malinga (C)
Bench: Oshado Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Lahiru Kumara
Top Picks
Indian opener KL Rahul is making the most of his opportunities as runs galore from his bat. Virat Kohli, who boasts of an excellent record against Sri Lanka, loves to score against this opposition. Ravindra Jadeja offers an all-round T20 package and is a definite pick in any T20 side. Sri Lankan skipper Malinga is still effective in the T20 format. The Islanders also rely a lot on the duo of Kusal Perera and Kusal Mendis to do the bulk of the scoring.
Captain and Vice-Captain
Captain: KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Kusal Perera
Vice-captain: Dasun Shanaka, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah
Suggested Playing XI No.1
Keeper – Rishabh Pant
Batters – KL Rahul (C), Virat Kohli, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis
All-Rounders – Dasun Shanaka, Isuru Udana, Ravindra Jadeja
Bowlers – Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Kasun Rajitha
Suggested Playing XI No.2
Keeper – Kusal Perera (wk) (VC)
Batters – KL Rahul, Virat Kohli (C), Angelo Mathews, Danushka Gunathilaka
All-Rounders – Dasun Shanaka, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube
Bowlers – Wanindu Hasaranga, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah
Expert Advice for India vs Sri Lanka Fantasy Cricket Tips
The pitch is expected to have loads of runs on offer and batsmen will enjoy their time if they can resist the first six overs. As a result, the new ball bowlers will have a say in the match and it is obvious to include the likes of Bumrah, Rajitha in the Fantasy XI.
Probable Winners:
India starts as favorites just like any other game played at home. The experience and the ability to soak pressure even will work to India’s advantage in the first T20I. It will be a daunting task for the southern neighbors to compete against a strong Indian line-up.
Match Details:
The first T20I between India and Sri Lanka will be played on January 5. The match is scheduled to take place at Brasapara Stadium in Guwahati. The telecast will commence at 7:00 PM IST, half an hour post the toss. The live coverage will be broadcasted on the Star Network.
